Adams, Willis Eugene (26741231)
5'7", 145 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Sergeant, Killed in Action
Company C, 401st Glider Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
Awarded:
Born: 7/21/1923 Dongola, Union County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 12/28/1944 Bastogne, Belgium
Buried: Mount Zion Cemetery, Union County, Illinois
Father: Clarence Adams
Mother: Clema Toler
Spouse:
Notes: Student at S.I.N.U (now SIU Carbondale)
Aydt, Robert Vernon (36773442)
5'11", 165 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Sergeant, Killed in Action
Company F., 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 2/3/1914 Mt. Vernon, Jefferson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 11/20/1944 Aachen, Germany
Buried: American War Cemetery Ardennes, Plot A, Row 42, Grave 19
Father: Joseph Robert Aydt
Mother: Jennie M. Greer
Spouse: Wanda Lorraine Wallace,
Notes:
5'11", 165 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Sergeant, Killed in Action
Company F., 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division
Awarded: Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster
Born: 7/28/1920 Delafield, Hamilton County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 3/7/1945 Bolsdorf-Nieder Bettingen, Germany
Buried: American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle, Plot H, Row 3, Grave 9
Father: Joseph Robert Aydt
Mother: Jennie M. Greer
Spouse: Othella Chapman, married 4 Jun 1939, Perryville, Perry County, Missouri
Notes:
Bailey, James Harold (3371799)
Radioman 3rd Class, Killed in Action
USS Houston (CA-30)
Awarded:
Born: 8/31/1918 DeSoto, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 3/1/1942 Off the coast of Java
Buried: Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines
Father: Howard Bailey
Mother: Ellen Hale
Spouse:
Notes: On 24 August 1940, Houston departed Pearl Harbor steaming to Mare Island Navy Yard in California arriving on 30 August 1940. Following her modernization and overhaul at Mare Island, Houston got underway on 15 October 1940 making two brief stops at California ports before arriving back in Pearl Harbor on 24 October 1940. Houston departed Pearl Harbor to join the Asiatic Fleet on 3 Nov 1940. After a brief stop in Guam, Houston steamed on to the Philippine Islands arriving at Manila on 19 Nov where she became the flagship of Admiral Thomas C. Hart, Commander Asiatic Fleet. S1c Morris was assigned to temporary duty with the Flag staff on board Houston until 30 Dec 1941. On 27 Feb 1942, the Battle of the Java Sea began in which Houston was a participant. Late in the evening of the 28th, Houston and the Australian Navy light cruiser Perth engaged a Japanese force in what became known as the Battle of Sunda Strait. Houston and Perth engaged three Japanese cruisers and nine Japanese destroyers. In the maelstrom that followed, Houston and Perth sunk a number of Japanese ships, but were themselves sunk by torpedoes and gunfire from Japanese heavy cruisers Mogami and Mikuma. Almost 700 crewmen were lost when Houston sank. Most of the survivors were captured by the Japanese and sent to internment or work camps. Of the 368 known Navy and Marine Corps personnel taken prisoner, 79 died in captivity. After dawn on 01 Mar, Japanese aircraft strafed the Houston survivors floating in the debris field. Japanese machine gun fire killed a number of those in the water. The presence of survivors from Houston was not reported by the Japanese to the International Red Cross or any other neutral relief agency. Family members and US Government officials believed that all Houston’s crew had been lost in battle. It was not until early 1944 that several POWs escaped from their captivity and alerted officials to the existence of many Houston survivors. According to the Houston's final muster report compiled sometime after her sinking on 01 March 1942, S1c Morris was reported as missing on 01 Mar 1942. He was presumed dead for records purposes in Oct 1945. His remains were unrecoverable.
Baker, Ralph Martin (36676888)
5'7", 180 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Private, Killed in Action
38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division
Awarded:
Born: 7/29/1913 Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 6/23/1944 Saint-Georges-d'Elle, Departement de la Manche, Basse-Normandie, France
Buried: Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, Plot H, Row 15, Grave 23
Father: Ralph Sydney Baker
Mother:
Spouse:
Notes:
Bateman, David Warren (460935)
5' 11", 165 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Corporal, Killed in Action
Company G, 21st Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division
Awarded:
Born: 9/19/1920 Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 3/1/1945 Iwo Jima
Buried: Oakland Cemetery, Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: J. Walter Bateman
Mother: Mentora E. Smart
Spouse:
Notes:
5'6", 132 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Staff Sergeant, Missing, Finding of Death
338th Bomb Squadron, 96th Bomb Group
Awarded: Purple Heart, Air Medal
Born: 4/12/1923 Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted: 12/3/1942 Jefferson Barracks, Missouri
Died: 11/29/1943 Bremen, Germany
Buried: Cambridge American Cemetery, Tablets of the Missing
Father: Frank Bean
Mother:
Spouse:
Notes: Radio Operator/Gunner, Herb Meuli Crew (a/c 42-37811), misson to Bremen, aircraft was last seen over the target area flying in 10/10ths clouds, no trace of ship or crew. Missing Air Crew Report 1391
Bense, Wilbert Herman (36721507)
5'6", 125 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
Company H, 175th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division
Awarded: Bronze Star, Purple Heart
Born: 1/9/1923 Willisville, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 11/18/1944 In the vicinity of Bettendorf-Schleiden, Germany
Buried: Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial, Plot D, Row 19, Grave 15
Father: Arnold Bense
Mother: Elsie Geberding
Spouse:
Notes: Private First Class Wilbert Bense joined his unit from Replacement Depot on 24 June 1944.
5'9", 156 lbs, blonde hair, grey eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
358th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division
Awarded:
Born: 10/28/1921 Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 1/16/1945 in the vicinity of Bras, Belgium
Buried: Camp Butler National Cemetery, Section C, Grave 201
Father: Everett Betts
Mother:
Spouse:
Notes:
Biesemeier, Eugene "Breezy" Burton (0)
5' 7", 160 lbs, black hair, hazel eyes
2nd Lieutenant, Killed in Action
10th Photo Recon Group, 12th Tactical Recon Squadron
Awarded:
Born: 3/23/1920 Freeport, Stephanson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 12/21/1944 Ardennes Sector
Buried: Oakland Cemetery, Freeport, Stephenson County, Illinois, Cedar Hill section, lot 50
Father: Elmer J. Biesemeier
Mother: Violet Winters
Spouse: Arliethe Laurel Mensenkamp
Notes: Messages received Thursday afternoon from the war department by two young wives in Freeport informing them that their husbands, both lieutenants in the air corps, had been killed in action to Europe, brought the war home with tragic reality. The officers were Lieut. Eugene B. Biesemeier, 24, husband of Mrs. Arlith Biesemeier, 1201 South Maple avenue, and Lieut. Donald W. Alice, husband of Mrs. Celia I. Alice, 36, West Pleasant street. Lieut. Biesemeier, a reconnaissance pilot, was killed in action over Germany on Dec. 21. A few hours before news of his death came, Mrs. Biesemeier had received a letter from him, dated Dec. 20. and saying that he was based near the German border. F. H. S. Graduate, the lieutenant, son of Elmer Biesemeier, 1247 South Maple avenue, was born March 24, 1920. He was a graduate of Freeport high school, where he played with the lightweight football squad. While at Maxwell Field, Ala., he tripled the physical training sit-up record, with 1,011 sit-ups, for which he received an award. From February, 1940 to April of 1942, Lieut Biesemeier was employed by the Micro Switch corporation in the drill press and heat treating departments. "Breezy" as he was known to his friends entered service on April 4, 1942, joining the signal corps at Orlando, Fla. Later he was transferred to the army air corps and was stationed at Max....continued on page 10.....well field, Ala., and Bainbridge, Ga. He was commissioned at Dale Mabry Field, Tallahassee, Fla., in May, 1944, and then went overseas to England and later to France as a member of the strategic air force flying a P51-Mustang. Writing to Micro Switch associates he told of the work his squadron was doing against the Germans and added, "I'm trying to do my part in this war—which is a pretty big part, I'm finding out." Source: Freeport Journal-Standard › 05 January 1945 › Pages 1 & 10
5' 8", 126 lbs, black hair, brown eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
Company A, 331st Infantry Regiment, 83rd Infantry Division
Awarded:
Born: 2/5/1923 Harco, Saline County, Illinois
Enlisted: 1/12/1943
Died: 7/20/1944 Normandy, France
Buried: Sunset Lawn Cemetery, Harrisburg, Saline County, Illinois
Father: Steve Boros
Mother: Rosa Varga
Spouse:
Notes:
Bourland, Aaron Junior (36732175)
6' 2", 140 lbs, blonde hair, blue eyes
Private, Killed in Action
Company B, 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division
Awarded: CIB, Bronze Star, Purple Heart
Born: 1/10/1924 Royalton, Franklin County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 9/10/1943 Vella Lavella, Solomon Islands
Buried: I.O.O.F Cemetery, DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Father: Aaron Roy Bourland
Mother: Stella Irene Foster
Spouse:
Notes: Solomon Islands during the battle fought near Kokolope Bay.
Brennan, Patrick Woodward (36749867)
6' 1", 155 lbs, blonde hair, blue eyes
Technician 5th Class, Death non-battle
Awarded:
Born: 7/16/1918 Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 3/27/1945 San Francisco, San Franciso County, CA
Buried: Oakland Cemetery, Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: Patrick Brennan
Mother: Alice B. Woodward
Spouse:
Notes:
5" 10", 163 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
Company K, 3rd Raider Battalion, 2nd Raider Regiment, , 1st Marine Amphibious Corps
Awarded:
Born: 4/8/1924 Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted: 1/13/1943
Died: 11/1/1943 Bougainville, Solomon Islands
Buried: Oakland Cemetery, Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: Rolla Brewer
Mother: Gertrude Pearl Holliday
Spouse:
Notes: Assault landing at Cape Torokina, Empress Augusta Bay, Bougainville, BSI. I and K, and one-half of HQ Companies landed, at 0730, on Green Beach #1, on the north side of Puruata Island, and encountered heavy enemy resistance.
Browder, Charles Wallace "Chalk" (36680857)
5' 10", brown hair, brown eyes
Technician 5th Class, Death non-battle
776th Anti-Aircraft Arty (Automatic Weapons) Battalion
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 4/27/1909 Wittenberg, Perry County, Missouri
Enlisted:
Died: 10/7/1945 Germany
Buried: Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Plot J, Row 29, Grave 24
Father: Andrew J. Browder
Mother: Carnelia P. Johnston
Spouse:
Notes: He was a talented guitarist and banjo player. He, and several of his friends, including Dan Grosvenor, and Courtney and Clint Dilday had a loose-knit country and western band that played at square dances and parties in the community.
Brumley, Chester Harrell (16040967)
5' 11", 135 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Private First Class, Death non-battle
Hq. & Hq. Sqdn., 5th Air Base Group
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 12/29/1917 Elkville, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted: 12/2/1940 East St. Louis, Illinois
Died: 3/9/1945
Buried: Reese Cemetery, Elkville, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: Peter Brumley
Mother: Viola Cox
Spouse:
Notes:
Burroughs, Carl Maxwell (36721480)
5' 8", 145 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Private, Died of Wounds
Company I, 329th Infantry Regiment, 83rd Infanry Division
Awarded:
Born: 2/5/1923 Elkville, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 8/23/1944 In the vicinity of Angers, France
Buried: Elkville Cemetery, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: Charles D. Burroughs
Mother: Bessie Bradley
Spouse:
Notes:
Bush, Charles William, Jr (RCAF)
Pilot Officer, Death non-battle
17th Operational Training Unit, Group 7, RCAF
Awarded:
Born: 1/15/1918 Carterville, Williamson County, Illinois
Enlisted: 10/24/1940 London Ontario, Canada
Died: 11/2/1941 East Leake, Nottingham, England
Buried: Ramsey Cemetery, UK, Plot L, Grave 226
Father: Charles W. Bush Sr.
Mother: Bessie Mae Sizemore
Spouse:
Notes: Enlisted the Royal Canadian Air Force. Pilot of Bristol Blenheim IV, ran into thick cloud and crashed near Nottingham. Epitaph on his grave "Think what a son should be - he was that"
5' 6 1/2", 130 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Private, Killed in Action
735th Tank Battalion (Independent)
Awarded:
Born: 10/12/1922 Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted: 9/9/1942 Peoria, Illinois
Died: 9/13/1944 In the vicinity of Metz, France
Buried: Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Plot C, Row 10, Grave 94
Father: Frank Byrd
Mother: Susie Turner
Spouse:
Notes:
Gunners Mate 1st Class, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
USS Little (DD-803)
Awarded:
Born: 10/2/1911 Elkton, Washington County, Illinois
Enlisted: 12:00:00 AM
Died: 9/5/1942 South Pacific
Buried: Tower Grove Cemetery, Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: Albert A. Carr
Mother: Ida Marie Kroener
Spouse:
Notes: About 0100 on 5 September, Little observed gun flashes to the east and believed this to be an enemy submarine. Moments later a Navy PBY Catalina flying over Savo Sound released a string of five flares to illuminate what he also thought was a submarine. The flares illuminated the APDs instead. A surprised Japanese surface destroyer force, engaged in shelling Henderson Field after delivering a "Tokyo Express" shipment of troops and supplies to Guadalcanal and the source of the flashes presumed to have come from a submarine, shifted their guns toward the APDs, and searchlights stabbed through the darkness. Though outgunned, Little opened fire on enemy destroyers, Yūdachi, Hatsuyuki and Murakumo, but took direct hits from salvos which left her helpless and ablaze by 0115. Gregory suffered the same fate. The Japanese, to assure their kill, steamed between the two stricken ships firing shells and strafing survivors. Gregory sank stern first about 0140. Little went Died of Woundsn on an even keel about two hours later. Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz paid sincere tribute to these gallant ships: "With little means, the ships performed duties vital to the success of the campaign." Louis Raymond Carr, First Class Gunners Mate of the Navy, son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Austin Carr of Murphysboro, formerly of Elkton, is reported missing in action. Carr was among 592 sailors missing between the dates of September 22 to September 30. He joined the Navy some five or six years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Carr had one son killed in the Murphysboro cyclone at which time another son was seriously injured and died some time later. They have one daughter, Miss Edna Carr, who is employed in the telephone office at Olney.
5' 8", 165 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
67th Field Artillary Battalion, 3rd Armored Division
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 1/10/1915 Johnston County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 12/24/1944 Hotton/Manhay area of Belgium
Buried: Woodside Cemetery, Johnson County, Illinois
Father: Robert Choate
Mother: Delia Smith
Spouse:
Notes:
1st Lieutenant, Killed in Action
48th Troop Carrier Squadron, 313th Troop Carrier Group
Awarded:
Born: 12/25/1921 Cora, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 3/24/1945 near Wesel, Germany
Buried: Glenn Cemetery, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: Ernest Claussen
Mother: Stella Grosvenor
Spouse:
Notes: Pilot of a C-46D (44-77602) carrying members of the 17th Airborne Division. After dropping their paratroopers the aircraft made a right turn and seen with their left engine on fire heading back toward the Rhine. The airplane was under good control and about 100ft off the ground. The aircraft crashed near the town of Wesel, Germany. Pilot, Co-pilot, and Navigator were Killed in Action. The Crew Chief was thrown clear as the aircraft crashed and survived with wounds. Radio operator was initially listed as Missing in Action. MACR 13425
Cleveland, Dewey Isaac (36766993)
6', 144 lbs, brown hair, hazel eyes
Private First Class, Death non-battle
Anti-Tank Company, 349th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division
Awarded:
Born: 8/15/1925 Advance, Stoddard County, Missouri
Enlisted:
Died: 10/15/1945 Italy
Buried: Gravel Hill Cemetery, Toppertown, Stoddard County, Missouri
Father: Alfred B. Cleveland
Mother: Clara P. Stewart
Spouse:
Notes: He was killed when the convoy truck he was in went over a cliff in Italy. They were on their way home after war. All the men in the truck were killed.
Combs, Roy Hamilton (36694197)
5' 8", 165 lbs, red hair, grey eyes
Private, Killed in Action
Company B, 1st Engineer Combat Battalion, 1st Infantry Division
Awarded:
Born: 6/26/1925 Elkville, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 10/12/1944 Germany
Buried: Evergreen Cemetery, Ava, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: Willis W. Combs
Mother: Marie Falkenberry
Spouse:
Notes:
Fireman 1st Class, Killed in Action
USS Rall (DE-304)
Awarded:
Born: 9/6/1925 Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 4/12/1945 Lost at sea, off Okinawa
Buried: Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: John L. Crombar
Mother: Mollie Rains
Spouse:
Notes: At 1925 on 12 April 1945, the ship went to General Quarters. During the next three hours, 14 separate air attacks were tracked into the area, as the "Divine Wind" brought death and damage to the American invasion fleet off Okinawa. A raid of five Japanese planes approached Rall's sector. The destroyer escort's gunners commenced firing, splashing three of the kamikazes. A fourth was destroyed by a cruiser, but the fifth broke through the fiery screen, and the plane, damaged and aflame hit the escort on the starboard side aft. A 500-pound bomb slung beneath the plane tore through the ship, exploding in the air about 15 feet from the port side. The explosion and fire from the suicide plane, combined with strafing attacks from another wave of fighters, resulted in heavy damage, 21 dead and 38 wounded. Prompt damage control action extinguished the fires and temporary repairs were commenced. Rall entered the Hagushi Beach anchorage and moored alongside Pinkney (APH-2), where most of the wounded were transferred. The dead were removed the next morning for burial on Okinawa.
5' 11", 140 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Flt Off, Killed in Action
96th Squadron, 440th Troop Carrier Group
Awarded: Purple Heart, Air Medal
Born: 6/24/1916 Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 6/6/1944 Basse-Normandie, France
Buried: Normandy American Cemetery, St. Laurent, Block 1, Row 25, Grave 3
Father: George W. Crowell
Mother: Jennie Jolly
Spouse:
Notes: "Plane after plane now was being hit by flak or small arms fire. The 96th, which came in as the third squadron of the Group over the DZ, received the full fury of the flak. Two of the squadron's. planes crashed shortly after they had dropped their loads of paratroops. They were 914 with 2nd Lt. Alton R. Keller, pilot; F/0 George N. Crowell, co-pilot; T/Sergeant. Edward A. Bluestone, crew chief, and Corporal. Carmen C. D'Amico, radio operator" Their unit was carry the Third Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry, and the First and Third Platoons, Company C, 326th Airborne Engineer Battalion Supply, units of the 101st Airborne Division.
5' 8", 150 lbs, black hair, brown eyes
Private, Death non-battle
Quartermaster Corp 3224 Service Unit
Awarded:
Born: 7/12/1922 Freeman Spur, Franklin County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 12/16/1943 Army/Navy Hospital, Hot Spring, Garland County, AR
Buried: Oakland Cemetery, Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: Fred Gully Devers
Mother: Viola Pierce
Spouse:
Notes: Died of Leukemia
Downey, Richard Phillip (4421888)
6', 157 lbs,
2nd Lieutenant, Death non-battle
16th Bomber Squadron, 27th Bomber Group (light)
Awarded: POW Medal, Purple Heart
Born: 12:00:00 AM Menard, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 6/12/1942 Phillipines
Buried: Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Tablet of the Missing
Father: Joseph W. Downey
Mother: Ida M. Fielder
Spouse:
Notes: Attended S.I.N.U. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps on November 26, 1940, prior to the war, in East St. Louis, Illinois. He became a POW during the Fall Of The Philippines in April-May, 1942. He died at POW Camp 1, Cabanatuan 1-2-3, Nueva Province, Luzon, Philippines 15-121 during the war. His remains were not recovered.
6', 166 lbs
Sergeant, Killed in Action
571st Bomb Squadron, 390th Bomb Group
Awarded:
Born: 7/14/1915 Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted: 8/29/1940 Jefferson Barracks, Missouri
Died: 9/25/1944 Germany
Buried: Ebenezer Hall Cemetery, Lick Creek, Union County, Illinois
Father: John L Dillow
Mother: Maude Edwards
Spouse:
Notes: Laverne trained with the Galletti crew and was removed from the crew after they were assigned to the 571st in Jul 1944. Laverne flew his first mission 19 Jul 44 with crew 92 and Galletti's first mission was 20 Jul 44 as crew 95. The hospital record indicates Laverne was injured in Jul 44. I'm guessing that is what kept him from flying another mission until 25 Sep 44.
Dillow, Harold Eugene (3373216)
Motor Machinst Mate 2nd Class, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
USS Grayling (SS-209)
Awarded:
Born: 6/4/1922 Anna, Union County, Illinois
Enlisted: 12:00:00 AM
Died: 9/12/1943 Lingayen Gulf or along the approaches to Manila
Buried: Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Tablet of the Missing
Father: Roy Ervin Dillow
Mother: Mae Arnold
Spouse:
Notes: Attended S.I.N.U (now SIU-Carbondale) Cruising in the Philippines area, Grayling recorded her last kill, the passenger-cargo Meizan Maru on 27 August in the Tablas Strait, but was not heard from again after 9 September. She was scheduled to make a radio report on 12 September, which she did not, and all attempts to contact her failed. On 27 August 1943, Japanese ships witnessed a torpedo attack, and the next day a surfaced submarine was seen, both in the Tablas Strait area, and then on 9 September a surfaced American submarine was seen inside Lingayen Gulf. All of these sightings correspond with Grayling's orders to patrol the approaches to Manila. On 9 September 1943, Japanese passenger-cargo vessel Hokuan Maru reported a submarine in shallow water west of Luzon. The ship made a run over the area and "noted an impact with a submerged object". No additional data are available. Assuming she survived this incident, no other recorded Japanese attacks could have sunk Grayling. Her loss may have been operational or by an unrecorded attack. The only certainty, therefore, is that Grayling was lost between 9 September and 12 September 1943 either in Lingayen Gulf or along the approaches to Manila. Grayling was officially reported "lost with all hands" 30 September 1943.
Doerr, John William (36070535)
5' 7", 150 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Master Sergeant, Died of Wounds
US Army Air Corps
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 7/28/1912 Vergennes, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 9/2/1944 Biak Island, Papua, New Guinea
Buried: Woodlawn National Cemetery, Elmira, NY, monument also at Central Cemetery, De Soto, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: William Doerr
Mother: Ruth Bost
Spouse:
Notes:
Doughenbaugh, Dale Edward (36903148)
Private First Class, Killed in Action
Company A, 4th Armored Infantry Division, 3rd Army
Awarded:
Born: 1/24/1923 Ridott, Stephenson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 2/23/1945
Buried: Ridott Township Cemetery, Ridott, Stephenson County, Illinois
Father: Earl Doughenbough
Mother: Gertrude TerHark
Spouse:
Notes: Mrs. Opal Daughenbaugh, 801 West Pleasant street, received a message from the war department Saturday noon stating that her husband, Private First Class. Dale E. Daughenbaugh had been killed in action in Germany on February 23.He was a member of the 4th Armored division. Third army and had been overseas since January, 1945. Dale was inducted February 18, 1944 and received his basic training at Camp Stewart, Georgia. Later he was transferred to Fort Bliss, Texas, where he received advanced anti-aircraft training. Last October he was transferred to the infantry and trained at Camp Maxie, Texas.
6' 1", 144 lbs
2nd Lieutenant, Died of Wounds
Company M, 255th Infantry Regiment, 63rd Infantry Divison
Awarded:
Born: 5/6/1922 Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted: 10/9/1940 East St. Louis, Illinois
Died: 4/2/1945 Germany
Buried: Oakland Cemetery, Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: Harvey Drew Sr.
Mother: Golda Reeder
Spouse: Aileen Wood, married 26 Dec 1941 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Notes:
5' 8", 150lbs, blonde hair, blue eyes
Private First Class, Died of Wounds
Company I, 151st Infantry Regiment, 38th Infantry Division
Awarded:
Born: 1/3/1923 Grand Tower, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted: 2/28/1943
Died: 4/26/1945 Bataan, Phillipines
Buried: Walker Hill Cemetery, Grand Tower, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: Stanley East
Mother: Flora Berkbiglers
Spouse: Wanda June Dover, married 28 Dec 1941, Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Notes:
Eaton, Ardell Lavern (36982228)
5' 10", 154lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
Company I, 353rd Infantry Regiment, 89th Infantry Division
Awarded:
Born: 12/23/1918 Elkville, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted: 3/15/1945
Died: 5/25/1944 Mainz, Germany
Buried: Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: Orville Eaton
Mother: Mabel Wood
Spouse: Judy Moore
Notes:
Ebersohl, Luther Elmer (36381266)
5'9", 164lb, Brown Hair, Grey Eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
Company A., 53rd Armored Infantry Battalion, 4th Armored Division
Awarded:
Born: 2/17/1922 Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted: 10/3/1942 Chicago, Illinois
Died: 3/16/1945 Germany
Buried: Parrish Cemetery, Vergennes, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: George Karl Ebersohl
Mother: Ida Hatfield
Spouse: Christine Emma Jatho, 19 Jul 1942, Perryville, Perry County, Missouri
Notes:
Ebersohl, Richard Robert (36109399)
Staff Sergeant, Killed in Action
Company I, 346th Infantry Regiment, 87th Infantry Division
Awarded: Purple Heart w/ OLC
Born: 11/6/1913 DeSoto, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 1/30/1945 Near Andler, Belgium
Buried: American War Cemetery Luxembourg, Plot C, Row 5, Grave 2 and cenotaph at Indian Hill Cemetery, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: John Ebersohl
Mother: Louisa Dietz
Spouse:
Notes:
Ebersohl, August "Gussie" Robert (36066374)
5'9", 140lb, Brown Hair, Blue Eyes
Private, Killed in Action
6th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 4/3/1921 Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 8/7/1943 Sicily
Buried: Sicily-Rome American Cemetery
Father: Jacob C. Ebersohl
Mother: Ether Kate Will
Spouse:
Notes:
Edmonds, Clifford Charles, Jr. (0)
6' 1", 169lbs, red hair, brown eyes
2nd Lieutenant, Killed in Action
437 Bomb Squadron, 319 Bomb Group (M)
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 3/31/1919 Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted: 11/11/1942 Santa Ana Army Air Base CA
Died: 8/9/1944 Decimomannu, Città Metropolitana di Cagliari, Sardegna, Italy
Buried: Florence American Cemetery and Memorial, Plot C, Row 4, Grave 42
Father: Clifford Edmonds Sr.
Mother: Lillian Korando
Spouse:
Notes:
Etherton, Charles "Chatty" (36059561)
Corporal, Death non-battle
382nd AAA Auto-Weapons Battalion
Awarded:
Born: 2/13/1919 Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted: 6/12/1942 East St. Louis, Illinois
Died: 12/27/1945 Jefferson City, Cole County, Missouri
Buried: Oakland Cemetery, Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: Charles Etherton
Mother: Agnes Frazier
Spouse:
Notes: He signed with the Mayfield Clothiers of the newly formed Class D Kitty Leaguein 1936, and made one brief appearance before returning to Carbondale to play for the Bridge 4-H softball team that won the county championship. Between 1938 and 1940, Etherton had brief trials with teams in the Arkansas-Missouri League, South Atlantic League, Kitty League, and Alabama State League,but it was following an outstanding season with the sandlot Red Wings of Murphysboro, Illinois, that he secured a regular place in organized baseball, joining the Zanesville Cubs of the Class C Middle-Atlantic League in 1941. Etherton started in style for the Cubs with a 16-strikeout performance in a pre-season game against Muskingum College on April 24. "Etherton, who served a brief hitch with Troy in the Alabama State League last season, used a fast breaking curve and a fair fastball to bewilder all the Muskie batsmen," declared the local newspaper the following day.' Etherton made 22 appearances with Zanesville for a 3-7 record and a 5.01 ERA. He finished out the year making seven appearances for the Lake Charles Skippers of the Class D Evangeline League. In 1942, Etherton joined the Winnipeg Maroons of the Class C Northern League, where he posted a 4-2 won-loss record, before entering military service on June 12. Corporal Etherton served in the Pacific Theater with the 382nd AAA Auto-Weapons Battalion and returned home in late 1945. On December 23, he boarded a troop train at Camp Stoneman, California, bound for discharge at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. Nobody knows what horrors the 26-year-old faced on the battlefields of the Pacific, but other soldiers on the train said he was despondent. Four days after the train left California, Etherton locked himself in a wash room and cut his throat with a double-edged razor blade. His body was found when the train stopped at Jefferson City, Missouri, only a few hours from home.
Falkenheim, Robert Hill (6831089)
Technician 5th Class, Killed in Action
123rd Ordinance Disposal Squad, 3rd Army
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 3/17/1915 Baldwin, Randolph County, Illinois
Enlisted: 8/26/1939
Died: 5/9/1945 Pernek, Okres Český Krumlov, Jihočeský (South BoheMissing in Action), Czech Republic
Buried: Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, Plot E, Row 20, Grave 35 and Centotaph Evergreen Cemetery, Ava, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: Anton J. Falkenheim
Mother: Inez R. Hill
Spouse:
Notes: T/5 Corporal Robert H. Falkenheim, T/Sergeant Colebaugh, T/5 Corporal Aepken, Jr., T/5 Corporal Berger, and T/5 Herbert W. Moore were assigned to the 123rd Ordnance (Bomb Disposal) Squad, Third Army. They were killed in Pernek, Czechoslovakia in Action, while off loading some captured German munitions onto trucks. Also killed in the explosion were Sergeant George William Guise (Regimental Ammunition Specialist), Massachusetts, T/5 Corporal Joseph J. Evancho, Pennsylvania (a bystander), and another soldier serving with the HQ Company, 101st Infantry Regiment, 26th Infantry Division, Third Army. HQ Company pulled into the small village of Pernek, Czechoslovakia in Action on 8 May 1945. At 0800 hours that day an announcement came that the war in Europe had ended. They parked in front of a stone barn in Pernek. There they noticed three German trucks that carried abandoned enemy weapons and munitions. They were transferring the weapons and ammunition when an explosion occurred. The village of Pernek had to be evacuated. Today Pernek is a village and municipality in okres Malacky District in the Bratislavsky Region of western Slovakia in Action.
Fick, Leonard Wayne (17161631)
5' 9", 148lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Staff Sergeant, Killed in Action
757th Bomb Squadron, 459th Bomb Group (H)
Awarded: Air Medal w/ 4 OLC, Purple Heart
Born: 2/11/1923 Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted: 12/3/1942 Jefferson Barracks, Missouri
Died: 7/1/1944 Shot Died of Woundsn over Ploesti, Romania
Buried: Fort Scott National Cemetery, Bourbon County, KS
Father: August Fick
Mother: Hulda Vogel
Spouse:
Notes: Attended S.I.N.U. Radio gunner on the Philip McLaughlin Crew in a B-24H (a/c number 41-28769). Directly over the target we ran into intense accurate, and heavy tracking flak. About ten seconds or less after bombs away, a direct flak burst caught the aircraft right in the bomb bay. The bomb bay immediatly burst into flames and soon the entire interior of the aircraft seemed to be a raging inferno. Capt. McLaughlin pulled the aircraft out of formation and dove Died of Woundsn. A few seconds later the aircraft blew up, no chutes were seen. (9 Killed in Action, 2 POW)
5' 11", 145lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
1st Lieutenant, Killed in Action
Company C, 175th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division
Awarded:
Born: 9/20/1914 Albion, Edwards County, Illinois
Enlisted: 4/17/1941 Chicago, Illinois
Died: 6/17/1944 Hill 108 Normandy, France
Buried: Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois
Father: Henry R. Fields
Mother: Lettie I. Hixson
Spouse:
Notes:
Sergeant, Killed in Action
883rd Bomb Squadron, 500th Bomb Group (VH)
Awarded:
Born: 7/26/1924 Grand Tower, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 3/8/1945 about 120 miles north of Saipan
Buried: Walker Hill Cemetery, Grand Tower, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: William Fisher
Mother: Hazel B. Dickson
Spouse:
Notes: Tail Gunner, take-off from Saipan was approximately 1730 hours on the afternoon of 7 March 1945 on Weather Strike Mission #264 to the vicinity of Kure Naval Base near Hiroshima, aboard B-29 Superfortress, nicknamed Su Su Baby, serial #42-24721 (Z-Square-46), 883rd Bomb Squadron, 500th Bombardment Group (VH), 73rd Bomb Wing, XXI Bomber Command, 20th Air Force, stationed at Isley Field on Saipan in the Mariana Islands. At approximately 0730 hrs on 8 March 1945, Killed in Action, Z-SQ-46 suffered fuel starvation, ditched in the Pacific Ocean about 120 miles north of Saipan.
Garver, Harmon Homer (36721463)
5' 11", 156lbs, black hair, brown eyes
Sergeant, Killed in Action
127th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division
Awarded:
Born: 2/17/1923 Ava, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 3/8/1945 Luzon, Davao, Phillipines
Buried: Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield, Illinois
Father: Ralph J. Garver
Mother: Helen Ditzler
Spouse:
Notes:
5' 9", 170 lbs, red hair, blue eyes
Technical Sergeant, Death non-battle
US Army Air Corps
Awarded:
Born: 5/21/1911 Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted: 3/14/1942
Died: 4/24/1944 Papua, New Guinea
Buried: Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: Joseph E. Graff
Mother: Cynthia Lyerla
Spouse: Gladys Irene Brothers, married 12 Nov 1942 in Jackson, Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Notes: Accidental electrocution
Griffin, Thomas William (1983375)
6', 175 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Private, Death non-battle
Medical Detachment, 109th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division
Awarded:
Born: 10/8/1921 Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted: 9/9/1942 Chicago, Illinois
Died: 2/23/1943 Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois
Buried: Tower Grove Cemetery, Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: David Griffin Sr.
Mother: Helen M. Puricelli
Spouse: Oletta
Notes:
2nd Lieutenant, Death non-battle
512th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 406th Fighter Bomber Group
Awarded:
Born: 2/17/1920 Lucas County, OH
Enlisted:
Died: 4/21/1944 New Romney, England
Buried: Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri
Father: David Harnagel
Mother: Christina Gabler
Spouse:
Notes: Killed during a training flight, shortly after the unit arrived in England.
Hinkley, Henry Otis, Jr. (36645406)
5' 11", 150 lbs, blonde hair, grey eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
163rd Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Division
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 3/4/1924 Elysburg, PA
Enlisted:
Died: 6/7/1944 Biak Island, Papua, New Guinea
Buried: Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Philippines, Block 2, Row 6, Grave 138 & cenotaph at Alma Cemetery, Alma, Marion County, Illinois
Father: Henry Otis Hinkley Sr.
Mother: Abbie Ida Kelsey
Spouse:
Notes: Attended S.I.N.U
Hoffman, Orville Harold (287153)
Sergeant, Died of Wounds
2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division
Awarded: Purple Heart, Silver Star
Born: 1/28/1917 Ziebach, SD
Enlisted:
Died: 10/8/1944 Peleliu
Buried: Manila American Cemetery and Memorial , Manila Phillipines, Plot B, Row 14, Grave 135
Father: Edward C. Hoffman
Mother: Appa Drucilla Blackburn
Spouse:
Notes: The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Sergeant Orville Harold Hoffman (MCSN: 287153), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving with the Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, FIRST Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces on Peleliu Island, Palau Group on 8 October 1944. In order to acquaint himself with the terrain over which he was to lead his force and to further the assault operations of his platoon, Sergeant Hoffman, unhesitatingly exposed himself to hostile fire during a dangerous reconnaissance mission. Although mortally wounded by a Japanese sniper, he valiantly refused evacuation until he had given the enemy situation and his own combat orders to his subordinate non-commissioned officer. His exceptional fortitude and unflinching devotion to duty at the risk of his own life reflected great credit upon Sergeant Hoffman and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for is country.
Hogan, James H., Jr. (36793364)
5' 9", 145 lbs, black hair, black eyes
Private First Class, Died of Wounds
365th Infantry Regiment, 92nd Infantry Division
Awarded:
Born: 1/8/1925 Charleston, Mississippi County, Missouri
Enlisted:
Died: 2/9/1945 Italy
Buried: Florence American Cemetery & Memorial, Plot D, Row 6, Grave 37
Father: James H. Hogan Sr.
Mother: Hattie
Spouse:
Notes:
5'7", 125lb, Brown Hair, grey eyes
Private First Class, Death non-battle
1130th M.P 63rd Military Police Service Battalion
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 8/19/1918 Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 1/28/1945 Bataan, Phillipines
Buried: Lipe Cemetery, Makanda Township, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: Wiliam Iva Holliday
Mother: Mary Winchester
Spouse:
Notes:
Holliday, Clarence Lee (36751046)
5'6", 136lb, Brown Hair, Blue eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
184th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division
Awarded: Bronze Star
Born: 11/8/1918 Oraville, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 4/21/1945 Okinawa
Buried:
Father: Edward Holliday
Mother:
Spouse:
Notes:
Hornbostle, Harold William (O-515758)
6'3", 150lb, Blonde Hair, grey eyes
1st Lieutenant, Death non-battle
4th Ferrying Group, 554th Army Air Force Base Unit
Awarded:
Born: 6/14/1919 Campbell Hill, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 12/29/1944 Nigeria
Buried: Florence American Cemetery & Memorial, Florence, Toscana, Italy, Plot A, Row 10, Grave 45
Father:
Mother: Edna M. Hornbostle
Spouse:
Notes: Student at S.I.N.U (now SIU Carbondale). He served as a ferrying pilot taking aircraft across to North Africa. While flying as a passenger in a C-46 (42-3642) from El Fashir, Sudan to Maiduguri, Nigeria the aircraft caught fire and exploded about 3hrs into the flight. All 20 passengers and 3 crew members were killed. Crash site is about 200 miles northeast of Maiduguri. MACR 15497
House, Donald Felix (O-690094)
5' 10", 140 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
2nd Lieutenant, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
719th Bomb Squadron, 449th Bomb Group (H)
Awarded: Air Medal, Purple Heart
Born: 12/17/1918 Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 1/15/1944 Sea of Elba
Buried: Florence American Cemetery & Memorial, Tablet of the Missing
Father: Henry E. House
Mother: Mary Jane Anderson
Spouse:
Notes: Co-Pilot on B-24H "Super Mouse" (#41-28594). His B-24, after being battle damaged on a mission over Italy, had two of it's engines fail and had to ditch at sea off Elba. Six crew members died in the crash. Four other crew members bailed out and survived. MACR: 2397
Capt, Killed in Action
Company C., 334th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division
Awarded:
Born: 9/5/1913 Makanda, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted: 3/5/1941
Died: 2/23/1945 Germany
Buried: Evergreen Cemetery, Ava, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: Dossia N. Jackson
Mother: Ida L. Jackson
Spouse: Martha G. Masters
Notes: Shortly after Crossing the Roer River.
Johnson, Harry Glenn (36732157)
Private First Class, Death non-battle
Company K, 347th Infantry Regiment, 87th Infantry Division
Awarded:
Born: 1/28/1923 Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 1/3/1944 Jackson County, Illinois
Buried: Oakland Cemetery, Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: Harry H. Johnson
Mother: Ethel M. Nausley
Spouse:
Notes: Died while on Furlough
Private, Died of Wounds
3275 Quartermaster Service Company
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 4/5/1905 Missouri
Enlisted:
Died: 6/30/1944 Normandy, France
Buried: Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, Plot G, Row 24, Grave 17
Father:
Mother: Captiola
Spouse:
Notes: Hit by artillery fire in the foot and body. Amputation was attempted, but he did not survive is injuries.
Keeley, James Donald (7531672)
Seaman 2nd Class, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
USS Leary (DD-158)
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 12:00:00 AM Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 12/24/1943 North Atlantic Ocean
Buried: Cambridge American Cemetery, Tablets of the Missing
Father: Louis H. Keeley
Mother: Wilma Wieland
Spouse:
Notes: On 24 Dec, 1943, the American hunter-killer Task Group 21.14, formed around USS Card (CVE 11) was spotted by a German reconnaissance aircraft and the wolfpack Borkum was ordered to attack. At 05.05 hours, U-275 fired at USS Leary (DD 158) and hit her on the starboard side in the after engine room. She sank after a huge internal explosion within one minute about 585 miles west-northwest of Cape Finisterre. The survivors were picked up by USS Schenck (DD 159). Officially declared dead on 25 Dec 1944.
Keough, George Thomas (16040937)
5' 7", 150 lbs,
1st Lieutenant, Death non-battle
5th Fighter Squadron, 52nd Pursuit Group.
Awarded:
Born: 4/3/1905 Illinois
Enlisted: 11/26/1940 East St. Louis, Illinois
Died: 9/1/1942 England
Buried: Cambridge American Cemetery & Memorial
Father: George A. Keough
Mother: Minnie
Spouse:
Notes: Killed in ground crash collision flying a Supermarine Spitfire (BM582) Mk Vb
5' 9", 160 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
397th Infantry Regiment, 100th Infantry Division
Awarded:
Born: 1/6/1921 Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 12/5/1944 In the vicinty of Wimmenau, France
Buried: Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial
Father: Harmen B. King
Mother: Ida M. Koen
Spouse:
Notes: Attended S.I.N.U.
Shipfitter 2nd Class, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
USS Orestas (AGP-10)
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 4/14/1917 Williamson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 12/30/1944 Near Leyte
Buried: Manila American Cemetery & Memorial, Manila Phillipines, Tablet of the Missing
Father: George W. Kirk
Mother:
Spouse:
Notes: Aichi D3A “Val” dive bomber came in low on the starboard side and crashed into Orestes amidships, causing heavy damage and killing 45 members of her crew.
Lawrence, Julius Augustus (36792315)
6' 1", 160 lbs, black hair, brown eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
Company E, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division
Awarded: Silver Star, Purple Heart
Born: 6/17/1916 Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 4/8/1945 Southern sector of the Ruhr pocket, Germany
Buried: American War Cemetery Margarten, Plot I, Row 20, Grave 12
Father: William H. Lawrence
Mother: Grace Huglett
Spouse:
Notes: Member of the "All Black 5th Platoon". On the day after Christmas 1944, the call to volunteer as riflemen went out. Since white units had already been tapped, the response came from the audience for which the call was originally intended--African Americans soldiers. Within two months, almost 5,000 African American soldiers had signed up. Alarmed because so many of the men were volunteering for infantry duty and fearing their exodus would disrupt service duties, the theater limited the number of volunteers to 2,500. Early in January 1945, the volunteers assembled for six weeks of standard infantry conversion training. After training, the African American infantrymen were organized into fifty three platoons, each under a white platoon leader and sergeant, and were dispatched to the field, two to fight with armored divisions--the 12th and the 14th Armored Divisions in the Seventh Army; and the rest to work with infantry divisions-including the lst, 2nd, 8th, 9th, 69th, 78th, 99th, 104th Infantry Divisions, First Army. Each platoon totaled some sixty men, about 50 per cent over normal strength to provide a ready source of replacements for battle casualties. Because they were African American, they had to provide their own replacements. No other source of trained infantry existed.
5' 11", 150 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Staff Sergeant, Killed in Action
Company G., 242nd Infantry Regiment, 42nd Infantry Division
Awarded:
Born: 9/26/1924 Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 1/5/1945 Gambsheim, France
Buried: Tower Grove Cemetery, Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: Ed Lee
Mother: Alice Carter
Spouse:
Notes: With a desperate need for infantry troops in Europe, the soldiers of the 222nd, 232nd and 242nd infantry regiments were pulled out of training and shipped to southern France. The three regiments, named Task Force Linden were committed to battle without the artillery, armor, engineers and logistics support the rest of the division would typically provide. The attack came as a shock to the newly arrived infantrymen The green, inexperienced troops occupied a small town named Hatten since it was reported the Germans had nothing more than small patrols in the area. German paratroops and panzer forces with tanks and self-propelled guns crossed the Rhine River 12 miles north of Strasbourg and clashed with the thinly stretched Rainbow Division infantry at Gambsheim on Jan. 5. At Gambsheim, the odds were too high for the American infantry. "They had tanks and heavy artillery, endless infantry troops," recalled Dan Bearse, a rifleman with the 242nd Infantry. "We were outnumbered two or three to one. So we were quickly repulsed. Lost lots of people, killed, wounded and captured. "...That was our baptism of fire. And it was a loser."
Lenon, Raymond Edward (3003713)
5' 8", 180 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Electricians Mate 1st Class, Killed in Action
USS Franklin (CV-13)
Awarded:
Born: 6/28/1919 Tunnel Hill, Williamson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 10/30/1944 at Sea, 100 miles off Samar
Buried: Honolulu Memorial, Courts of the Missing
Father: Walter Lenon
Mother: Cora Ann Webb
Spouse: Bettie Jane Gardner, married 12 Feb 1943, Cape Girardeau, Perry County, Missouri
Notes: Enemy bombers appeared bent on a suicide mission. Navy fighters shot Died of Woundsn most of the Japanese planes, but six broke through the combat air patrol into Franklin's task group of four carriers defensively surrounded by a circle of about twenty escorting cruisers and destroyers. Shipboard anti-aircraft guns shot Died of Woundsn three of the four kamikazes independently diving toward each of the four carriers; but the one targeting Franklin hit the flight deck and crashed through to the gallery deck, killing 56 men and wounding 60.
Lilley, Leonard Marvin (36611480)
5' 9", 166 lbs, black hair, black eyes
Private, Died of Wounds
504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division
Awarded:
Born: 2/11/1923 Slida, Colorado
Enlisted:
Died: 12/29/1944 Belgium
Buried: Rock Baptist Church Cemetery, Cataula, Harris County, GA
Father: Perry Lilley
Mother: Ada Clauson
Spouse: Essie B. Railey, married 23 Oct 1943, Jefferson County, AL
Notes:
6' 1", 155 lbs, blonde hair, blue eyes
Staff Sergeant, Killed in Action
Awarded:
Born: 6/6/1921 DeSoto, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 7/26/1944 Normandy, France
Buried: DeSoto Cemetery, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: Clifford Henry Lingle Sr.
Mother: Marie L. Bullar
Spouse: Opal May Heatherly, married 30 May 1942 at Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Notes:
Seaman 2nd Class, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
USS Meredith (DD-434)
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 3/26/1919 Campbell Hill, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 10/15/1942 Solomon Islands
Buried: Manial American Cemetery & Memorial, Tablets of the Missing
Father: August Luehr
Mother: Dorothea Fuhrop
Spouse:
Notes: Offical date of death 16 Oct 1943. Meredith was sighted by a Japanese patrol plane on the morning of 15 October, and shortly after midday took aboard the 68-man crew of Vireo to depart the area at high speed. However, while preparing to torpedo Vireo to keep her out of Japanese hands, Meredith was attacked by a force of 38 bombers, torpedo planes, and escort fighters from Zuikaku. In the first three minutes of the attack, Meredith was struck by a bomb that exploded beneath her bridge, destroying all communications, steering control, and gun direction. A second bomb struck the forward port side, and a torpedo exploded below the ready ammunition locker, igniting the ship's pyrotechnics and setting fire to fuel oil leaking from her bunkers. Meredith fought fiercely, and brought Died of Woundsn three of her attackers, but she was struck by an estimated 14 bombs and seven torpedoes. Meredith rolled over and sank in 10 minutes at 11°53′S 163°20′ECoordinates: 11°53′S 163°20′E. Of the crew of 273 on board that day, only eight officers and 73 enlisted men survived the attack and the three ensuing days of exposure to the open sea and sharks until they were rescued by Grayson, Seminole and Gwin.
Mason, Kenneth William (36377258)
5' 11", 150 lbs, brown hair, grey eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
Company E, 109th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 2/22/1921 Gorham, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted: 9/26/1942 Chicago, Illinois
Died: 9/18/1944 Germany
Buried: Jonesboro Cemetery, Union County, Illinois
Father: William J. Mason
Mother: Sophie Weston
Spouse:
Notes:
McRoy, Claude Eugene (36046175)
Private First Class, Killed in Action
Company E., 25 Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division
Awarded:
Born: 2/8/1919 Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 2/17/1945 Luzon, Phillipines
Buried: Tower Grove Cemetery, Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois
Father:
Mother: Lola May McRoy
Spouse:
Notes:
Miesner, Norman Martin (36312787)
5' 10", 165 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Sergeant, Died of Wounds
Company D, 31st Tank Battalion, 7th Armored Division
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 7/4/1918 Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 8/15/1944 Chartres, France
Buried: Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri, Section 80, Site 152
Father: Martin Miesner
Mother: Ella Schuessler
Spouse:
Notes:
5' 9", 185 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Private, Killed in Action
Company A, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 8/22/1912 Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 11/6/1944 Near Epinal, France
Buried: American War Cemetery Epinal, Plot A, Row 37, Grave 36
Father: Edmond J. Mileur
Mother: Marie A.
Spouse: Genevieve Burnell
Notes:
Miller, Donald Herbert (36619796 & O-1320857)
5' 10", 150 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
2nd Lieutenant, Died of Wounds
Company B, 51st Battalion, 4th Armored Division
Awarded:
Born: 11/9/1921 Mattoon, Coles County, Illinois
Enlisted: 10/23/1942
Died: 10/22/1944 England
Buried: Oakland Cemetery, Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: Robert G. Miller
Mother: Della Etherton
Spouse: Jane Lovier
Notes:
Miller, Burman Russell, Jr. (16055312)
5' 9", 176 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Technician 5th Class, Killed in Action
Company C., 326 Airborne Engineer Battalion, 101st Airborne Division
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 8/19/1921 New Albany, IN
Enlisted:
Died: 6/6/1944 Normandy, France
Buried: New Albany National Cemetery, New Albany, IN (reinterred from St. Mere Eglise No. 1, Carentan)
Father: Burman R .Miller Sr.
Mother: Martha Obreckt
Spouse:
Notes:
Moore, Richard Dale (36732203)
6', 155 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Private, Killed in Action
Company E., 318th Infantry Regiment, 80 Infantry Division
Awarded:
Born: 12/3/1924 Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted: 2/9/1943
Died: 11/11/1944 Tragny, France
Buried: Oakland Cemetery, Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: Harry L. Moore
Mother: Callie Helton
Spouse:
Notes: Attended S.I.N.U
Morris, James Isaac, Jr. (2999615)
Seaman 1st Class, Missing in Action, Finding of Death
USS Houston (CA-30)
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 11/26/1919 Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted: 7/27/1939 Chicago, Illinois
Died: 3/1/1942 Battle of Sunda Strait
Buried: Tower Grove Cemetery, Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: James I. Morris Sr.
Mother: Roxie R. Deane
Spouse:
Notes: He graduated High School in June 1939. Morris enlisted as an Apprentice Seaman (AS) in the US Navy (NSN:299-96-15) on 27 July 1939 in Chicago, Illinois. He completed his basic training at the US Naval Training Station (NTS), Great Lakes, Illinois. After a brief period of leave, AS Morris boarded a train to Bremerton, WA where he reported for duty on board the heavy cruiser USS Houston (CA-30) on 14 Oct 1939. He was advanced in rate to Seaman Second Class (Seaman 2nd Class) by Mar 1940 and then to Seaman First Class (S1c) on 16 Aug 1940. On 24 August 1940, Houston departed Pearl Harbor steaming to Mare Island Navy Yard in California arriving on 30 August 1940. Following her modernization and overhaul at Mare Island, Houston got underway on 15 October 1940 making two brief stops at California ports before arriving back in Pearl Harbor on 24 October 1940. Houston departed Pearl Harbor to join the Asiatic Fleet on 3 Nov 1940. After a brief stop in Guam, Houston steamed on to the Philippine Islands arriving at Manila on 19 Nov where she became the flagship of Admiral Thomas C. Hart, Commander Asiatic Fleet. S1c Morris was assigned to temporary duty with the Flag staff on board Houston until 30 Dec 1941. On 27 Feb 1942, the Battle of the Java Sea began in which Houston was a participant. Late in the evening of the 28th, Houston and the Australian Navy light cruiser Perth engaged a Japanese force in what became known as the Battle of Sunda Strait. Houston and Perth engaged three Japanese cruisers and nine Japanese destroyers. In the maelstrom that followed, Houston and Perth sunk a number of Japanese ships, but were themselves sunk by torpedoes and gunfire from Japanese heavy cruisers Mogami and Mikuma. Almost 700 crewmen were lost when Houston sank. Most of the survivors were captured by the Japanese and sent to internment or work camps. Of the 368 known Navy and Marine Corps personnel taken prisoner, 79 died in captivity. After dawn on 01 Mar, Japanese aircraft strafed the Houston survivors floating in the debris field. Japanese machine gun fire killed a number of those in the water. The presence of survivors from Houston was not reported by the Japanese to the International Red Cross or any other neutral relief agency. Family members and US Government officials believed that all Houston’s crew had been lost in battle. It was not until early 1944 that several POWs escaped from their captivity and alerted officials to the existence of many Houston survivors. According to the Houston's final muster report compiled sometime after her sinking on 01 March 1942, S1c Morris was reported as missing on 01 Mar 1942. He was presumed dead for records purposes in Oct 1945. His remains were unrecoverable.
Mowery, Francis Bernard (36076272)
5' 11", 145 lbs, blonde hair, blue eyes
Private First Class, Death non-battle
HQ Company, 2nd Battalion, 160th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Division
Awarded:
Born: 1/25/1917 Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted: 3/6/1941
Died: 12/16/1942 Hawaii
Buried: Oakland Cemetery, Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: James Mowery
Mother: Leora Hasten
Spouse:
Notes:
Newfarmer, William Luke (36377187)
5' 7", 150 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Private First Class, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
Company B, 209th Engineer Combat Battalion, 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional) "Merrill's Marauders"
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 6/25/1918 Raddle, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted: 9/26/1942 Chicago, Illinois
Died: 6/15/1944 Kachin, Burma
Buried: Manila American Cemetery & Memorial, Manila Phillipines, Tablet of the Missing
Father: William Newfarmer
Mother: Ella Margaret Campbell
Spouse:
Notes: On June 13th, Companies A and B were ordered to advance to a new position in the heart of Jap-held territory. The Japs recovered quickly and closed In behind the advance party, completely cutting them off from the rest of the battalion. For five days and nights these men were hopelessly surrounded. Numerous attempts by the remainder of the battalion, reinforced by the 236th, resulted only in heavy casualties and finally all hope of reaching the trapped men was abandoned. However, the men who were trapped did not despair so easily. Following a trail pioneered by S/Sergeant. Lester Shockley of Co. B and led by Lt. Albert Falk, 85 of the men succeeded in finding their way to the main perimeter in small groups. Some of the wounded were carried In by their buddies.
6', 150 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
Company B, 9 Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 2/8/1921 Pomona, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted: 7/22/1942
Died: 2/26/1945 Iwo Jima
Buried: Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: Paul Norton
Mother: Lela Ann Wilmouth
Spouse:
Notes: He had been overseas for 26 months. He took part in the capture of Bougainville, Guam and Iwo Jima. He was wounded in the Guam campaign for which he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal.
Ogolini, Leo Sylvester (36076231)
6', 164 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Sergeant, Killed in Action
160th Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division
Awarded:
Born: 4/15/1919 Royalton, Franklin County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 2/11/1945 Bamban, Tarlac Province, Luzon, Phillipines
Buried: Manila American Cemetery & Memorial, Manila, Phillipines, Plot N, Row 9, Grave 172 & Sacred Heart Cemetery, DuQuion, Perry County, Illinois
Father: Joseph Ogolini
Mother: Stella Zabjek
Spouse:
Notes: Killed by a direct morter hit.
Seaman 2nd Class, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
USS Meredith (DD-434)
Awarded:
Born: 4/6/1905 Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 10/15/1942 Solomon Islands
Buried: Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Phillipines, Tablets of the Missing
Father: John E. Pate
Mother: Cora M. Ford
Spouse:
Notes: Offical date of death 16 Oct 1943. Meredith was sighted by a Japanese patrol plane on the morning of 15 October, and shortly after midday took aboard the 68-man crew of Vireo to depart the area at high speed. However, while preparing to torpedo Vireo to keep her out of Japanese hands, Meredith was attacked by a force of 38 bombers, torpedo planes, and escort fighters from Zuikaku. In the first three minutes of the attack, Meredith was struck by a bomb that exploded beneath her bridge, destroying all communications, steering control, and gun direction. A second bomb struck the forward port side, and a torpedo exploded below the ready ammunition locker, igniting the ship's pyrotechnics and setting fire to fuel oil leaking from her bunkers. Meredith fought fiercely, and brought Died of Woundsn three of her attackers, but she was struck by an estimated 14 bombs and seven torpedoes. Meredith rolled over and sank in 10 minutes at 11°53′S 163°20′ECoordinates: 11°53′S 163°20′E. Of the crew of 273 on board that day, only eight officers and 73 enlisted men survived the attack and the three ensuing days of exposure to the open sea and sharks until they were rescued by Grayson, Seminole and Gwin.
Private, Killed in Action
Company D, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division
Awarded:
Born: 10/18/1926 Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted: 6/19/1944
Died: 3/19/1945 Iwo Jima
Buried: Worthen Cemetery, Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: Jesse Penrod
Mother: Maude Dixon
Spouse:
Notes:
Poston, Kenneth Murrel (36715205)
5' 3", 115 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
401st Glider Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 4/20/1921 Willisville, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 1/3/1945 Bastogne, Belgium
Buried: American War Cemetery Ardennes, Plot B, Row 40, Grave 33 and cenotaph at Evergreen Cemetery, Ava, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: Homer Poston
Mother: Sarah "Sadie" King
Spouse:
Notes:
Radar, Wilbur "Wib" Earl (344011228)
Technical Sergeant, Killed in Action
Company F, 315th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division
Awarded:
Born: 10/22/1910 Cora, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted: 6/12/1942
Died: 9/14/1944 Châtenois, Bas-Rhin, Alsace, France
Buried: Evergreen Cemetery, Chester, Randolph County, Illinois
Father: Jacob Radar
Mother: Della Boyd
Spouse: Vivian McConkey, married 26 Jul 1935, Rockwood, Randolph County, Illinois
Notes:
5' 7", 165 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Private, Killed in Action
361st Infantry Regiment, 91st Infantry Division
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 1/25/1915 Elkville, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 10/23/1944 Toscana, Italy
Buried: Florence American Cemetery & Memorial, Florence, Toscana, Italy, Plot D, Row 14, Grave 6
Father: Elza Rees
Mother: Eva Moore
Spouse: Ruby Olive Deppe, married 1 Feb 1939
Notes:
Reifschneider, Charles, Jr. ()
6' 1", 160 lbs, blonde hair, blue eyes
Corporal, DOI
1 Replacement Depot
Awarded:
Born: 12/17/1920 Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 11/26/1943
Buried: Tower Grove Cemetery, Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: Charles Reifschneider Sr.
Mother: Beaulah Friedman
Spouse:
Notes: Charles was attached to the Army Air Corps serving in Africa. He was reported missing after his ship was bombed Nov. 26, 1943, in the Mediterrean Sea. In Feb. 1944, his parents were informed that he died of wounds received in action.
Major, Missing in Action/Death non-battle
86th Field Artillery Battalion (Philippine Scouts)
Awarded:
Born: 6/3/1907 Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 1/26/1945 Lost at sea, East China Sea
Buried: Manila American Cemetery & Memorial, Manila, Phillipines, Tablet of the Missing and a cenotaph at I.O.O.F Cemetery, Pinckneyville, Perry County, Illinois
Father: Everett S. Reynolds
Mother:
Spouse:
Notes: Major Gilbert H. Reynolds became a POW following the Japanese invasion of the Phillipines and was interned in the islands until December 1944, when he was transferred to the Oryoku Maru for transport to Japan. Records indicate Major Reynolds survived the attack on the Oryoku Maru and was eventually transferred to the Brazil Maru, but died during the journey of acute colitis on January 26, 1945. However, these reports often involve information solely furnished by enemy governments, with some casualties given multiple dates of death. Future research may determine these reports were inaccurate. Major Reynolds's remains could not be identified following the war and he is still unaccounted-for.
Private, Killed in Action
Company A, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division
Awarded: Purple Heart, Navy Cross
Born: 9/22/1924 Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 11/25/1942 Guadalcanal
Buried:
Father:
Mother: Amanda Rouse
Spouse:
Notes: The President of the United States of America take pride in presenting the Navy Cross (posthumously) to Private William F Richey (MCSN 324137), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with Company A First Battalion, Eighth Marines Reinforced, SECOND Marine Division, in combat against enemy Japanese forces at Guadalcanal Solomon Island on 23 November 1942. Knowing that it was impossible for his comrades to advance as long as two enemy machine guns which were holding a commanding position remained in action, Private Richey, with two other Marines, volunteered to dislodge them. Fighting his way through a hail of machine-gun and sniper fire up to an advantageous position, he threw hand grenades into the enemy position, silencing the gun. Rushing the position, he repeated the process, silencing the second gun. While returning to our lines with a captured machine gun, he was killed. His inspired acts of valor, in the face of almost certain death, were instrumental in breaking the deadlock with the enemy and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. General Orders: Authority: Board of Awards Serial 1177 (July 8 1943)
Riseling, Robert Eugene (36747143)
6', 159 lbs, black hair, brown eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
3rd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 7/28/1924 Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 9/23/1944 Longene, France
Buried: Camp Butler National Cemetery, Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois
Father: Charles R. Riseling
Mother: Lois L. Hutchcraft
Spouse:
Notes:
Robinson, Charles Jackson (36649925)
5' 8". 160 lbs, blonde hair, blue eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
Company F, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division
Awarded: Purple Heart w/ OLC
Born: 7/11/1923 Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 12/25/1944 North of the Amblève river between Stavelot and Trois Ponts, Belgium
Buried: American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle, Plot D, Row 5, Grave 38 and Centotaph at Dillenger Cemetery, Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: Samuel J. Robinson
Mother: Grace Trail
Spouse:
Notes:
Private, Killed in Action
HQ Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division
Awarded:
Born: 5/9/1926 Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 5/2/1945 Okinawa
Buried: Alto Pass Cemetery, Alto Pass, Union County, Illinois
Father: Frank Rushing
Mother: Verna Lee Rendleman
Spouse:
Notes:
Schneider, Paul Alfred (16041223)
5' 8", 140 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Technical Sergeant, Death non-battle
24th A.A.F AACS
Awarded:
Born: 8/3/1918 Sudan, Lamb County, TX
Enlisted:
Died: 5/5/1944 England
Buried: Sacred Heart Cemetery, DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Father: Bernard Schneider
Mother: Catherine Nehring
Spouse: Annabelle Mary Flure
Notes:
Shambling, William Leslie (36667909)
5' 10", 163 lbs, brown hair, grey eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
Company B, 135 Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division
Awarded:
Born: 3/15/1924 Franklin County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 2/6/1944 Vicinity of Cassino, Italy
Buried: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA
Father: William E. Shambling
Mother: Irene Waynick
Spouse:
Notes:
Short, William Lawrence (2024160)
short, stout, light hair, grey eyes
Chief Gunners Mater, POW/Death non-battle
U.S. Navy
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 9/6/1900 Makanda, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 10/24/1944 East China Sea
Buried: Manila American Cemetery & Memorial, Manila, Phillipines, Tablet of the Missing and Evergreen Cemetery, Makanda, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: William H. Short
Mother: Sarah Rachel Buckner
Spouse:
Notes: Served in the USN for 21 years, was captured on Corregidor and became a prisoner of war. He was on the Arisan Maru, which was torpedoed by USS Shark on October 24, 1944 about 225 miles east of Hong Kong. It was carrying 1,800 POWs at the time. Only nine POWs survived and one of those died within the next two weeks.
5' 7", 138 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Technician 5th Class, Death non-battle
719th Railway Operating Battalion
Awarded:
Born: 3/25/1905 DuQuoin, Perry County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 6/16/1944 Italy
Buried: Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial, Nettuno, Lazio , Italy. Plot H, Row 1, Grave 59
Father: William H. Taft
Mother: Lizzie Fred
Spouse: Marie Cornet, married 28 Sep 1940, Perryville, Perry County, Missouri
Notes:
6', 165 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Sergeant, Killed in Action
Company K, 274th Infantry Regiment, 70th Infantry Division
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 10/11/1919 Williamson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 3/3/1945 Near Stiring-Wendel, France
Buried: American War Cemetery Epinal, Plot B, Row 23, Grave 60
Father: Otto M. Tate
Mother: Anna Joplin
Spouse: Wilma Barnet, married 3 Feb 1941, Jackson, Cape Girardeau County, Missouri
Notes:
Tattersall, William David (36741229)
5' 9", 140 lbs, blonde hair, blue eyes
Private, Killed in Action
11th Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 11/11/1923 Chicago Heights, Cook County, Illinois
Enlisted: 3/23/1943
Died: 9/8/1944 France
Buried: Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: William E. Tattersal
Mother: Edna Remillard
Spouse: Betty Jean Kilby, married 27 Jan 1943
Notes:
Captain, Killed in Action
719th Bomb Squadron, 449th Bomb Group (H)
Awarded: Air Medal, Purple Heart
Born: 4/2/1905 Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted: 10/16/1940 East St. Louis, Illinois
Died: 2/7/1945 Vienna, Austria
Buried: American War Cemetery Ardennes, Plot B, Row 14, Grave 12 and Oakland Cemetery, Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: Edwin M. Thrailkill Sr.
Mother: Pearl Smith
Spouse: Rosa Scarber
Notes: Attended S.I.N.U (now SIU-Carbondale). He won his pilot's wings and commission at BarksdaleField, La., in July, 1941. He arrived in Italy in October, 1944. Pilot of a B-24H "Sleepy Time Gal" (aircraft 42-95271), identification on aircraft "Mickey, Slee
Seaman 1st Class, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
USS Longshaw (DD-559)
Awarded:
Born: 1/7/1917 Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 5/18/1945 Off the coast of Okinawa
Buried: National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Punch Bowl, Honolulu, HI and Oakland Cemetery, Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: William Ellis Toler
Mother: Ella Royster
Spouse:
Notes: See https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/wars-conflicts-and-operations/world-war-ii/1945/battle-of-okinawa/destruction-of-longshaw.html and also http://ussslcca25.com/uss_longshaw.htm
Torpedomans's Mate 3rd Class, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
USS S-26 (SS-131)
Awarded:
Born: 3/27/1921 Elkville, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 1/24/1942, Coast of Panama
Buried: WWII West Coast Memorial, Tablet of the Missing
Father: Ervin Tow
Mother: Pargetti McCoy
Spouse:
Notes: On the night of Jan 24th, 1942 the S-26 set out on patrol with 3 other submarines. The sub chaser USS Sturdy escorted the four boats safely out of the harbor. The Sturdy cruised ahead, lights out, and signaled her location once the crew determined it s was safe for the others to proceed. The S-26 failed to receive the signal. Eleven minutes later the S-26 collided with the Sturdy as she was returning to the harbor. Three men were tossed overboard and were the only three to survive. The S-26 sank in less than a minute. Attempts were made to rescue the trapped sailors, but were unsuccessful.
5' 10", 146 lbs, blonde hair, grey eyes
Private, Killed in Action
Company I, 186th Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Division
Awarded:
Born: 3/28/1925 Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 6/22/1944 New Guinea
Buried: Reese Cemetery, Elkville, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: John E. Vorce
Mother: Eva Mary Holliday
Spouse:
Notes:
5' 9", 138 lbs, brown hair, blue eyes
Private, Killed in Action
Service Company, 188th Glider Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division
Awarded:
Born: 1/2/1925 Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted: 2/18/1943
Died: 2/12/1945 vicinity of Nichols Field, Manila, Philippines
Buried: Oakland Cemtery, Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: William W. Walker
Mother: Bessie L. Smith
Spouse:
Notes: Stepped on a land mine, fractured skull
5' 10", 154 lbs, brown hair, grey eyes
Private First Class, Killed in Action
Company F, 329th Infantry Regiment, 83rd Infantry Division
Awarded: Purple Heart w/ OLC
Born: 10/18/1924 Vergennes, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 12/12/1944 West of Gürzenich, Hürtgen Forest, Germany
Buried: American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle, Plot A, Row 11, Grave 10 and Evergreen Cemetery, Ava, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: Ernest P. Weil
Mother: Edna C. Higgerson
Spouse:
Notes: Private First Class Weil was severely wounded in action on 5 August 1944 for which he was awarded the Purple Heart Medal a first time. After recovering at the 102nd Evacuation Hospital he returned to his unit.
Private, Death non-battle
3243rd Quartermaster Service Company
Awarded:
Born: 2/9/1921 Vicksburg, Warren County, MS
Enlisted: 11/16/1943
Died: 6/16/1944 Camp Breckenridge, Union County, KY
Buried: Oakland Cemetery, Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois
Father:
Mother: Sarah Williams
Spouse:
Notes: Accidental gunshot wound
Williamson, Jack J. (16030687)
5' 10", 170 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Aviation Cadet, Death non-battle
Awarded:
Born: 6/23/1920 Carbondale, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted: 1/26/1942 Chanute Field, Illinois
Died: 8/26/1942 Lubbock Army Flying School, Lubbock, TX
Buried: Elkville Cemetery, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: Jackson Williamson
Mother: Ruth E. Wiswell
Spouse:
Notes: Killed in aircraft crash during training.
6', 185 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
Private First Class, Died of Wounds
HQ Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division
Awarded: Bronze Star, Purple Heart
Born: 11/24/1918 Grand Tower, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted: 1/20/1942
Died: 7/21/1944 France
Buried: Walker Hill Cemetery, Grand Tower, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: Clyde Wills
Mother: Ruth Smith
Spouse:
Notes:
Wilmoth, John Melvin (36989313)
6' 1", 160 lbs, blonde hair, blue eyes
Private, Killed in Action
60th Infantry Battalion, 9th Armored Division
Awarded: Purple Heart
Born: 6/25/1918 Thebes, Alexander County, Illinois
Enlisted: 6/22/1944 Fort Sheridan, Illinois
Died: 3/16/1945 Aegidienberg, Bad Honnef, Germany
Buried: American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle, Plot F, Row 6, Grave 63
Father: Napolean B. Wilmoth
Mother: Mildred Chism
Spouse: Alma Lints, married 14 Feb 1939, Jackson, Cape Girardeau County, Missouri
Notes:
6', 160 lbs, brown hair, brown eyes
1st Lieutenant, Missing in Action/Finding of Death
Air Ferrying Service
Awarded:
Born: 5/2/1918 Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 4/10/1943 North Atlantic Ocean
Buried: Tablets of the Missing, East Coast Memorial, New York & a cenotaph at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: Thomas Wright
Mother: Grace Barnett
Spouse:
Notes: Attended S.I.N.U. Crew flying B-24D (42-40215) departed the continental United States on 27 Mar1943, en route to Dakar, Africa, but was lost somewhere in route. The plane nor their body's were recovered.
6'. 165 lbs, brown hair, hazel eyes
Private First Class, Death non-battle
Awarded:
Born: 9/4/1906 DeSoto, Jackson County, Illinois
Enlisted:
Died: 3/30/1943 Santa Barbara, CA
Buried: DeSoto Cemetery, Jackson County, Illinois
Father: John W. Wright
Mother: Ida C. Forbes
Spouse:
Notes: